Emirates FA Cup Preview

A look at some of the standout ties in Saturday`s First Qualifying Round.

The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round takes centre stage for clubs in the Pitching In Southern League this weekend, and there are some intriguing ties.

Several Southern League sides face lower league opposition and know that they face the possibility of creating headlines for being `giant-killed`!

Perhaps the most vulnerable are the teams having away ties against sides from lower down the non-League Pyramid.

The game between Banbury United and Anstey Nomads pairs Andy Whing`s unbeaten Premier Division Central outfit against a United Counties League Premier Division North side who looked odds on to win the title last season but for the pandemic.

The Leicestershire side have started the new campaign well too and, like the Puritans, have yet to taste defeat in the league and overcame Skegness Town and Sleaford Town in the two previous rounds.

Banbury supporters will be hoping home advantage tells.

The tie between Truro City and Exmouth Townsees Paul Wotton`s White Tigers face Toolstation Western League Premier Division opposition who have lost just once in the league to date.

Exmouth caused an upset in the Preliminary Round when they knocked out Division One South side Bristol Manor Farm 2-1, having beaten league rivals Buckland Athletic in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Arguably facing an even bigger test are Taunton Town, who have to make the short journey to Exmouth`s league rivals Shepton Mallet, who have won three and drawn four of their seven league matches to date.

The Somerset derby at the Playing Fields should attract a good attendance

The Mallet have seen off Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) outfit Andover New Street after a replay and, like Exmouth, caused a surprise in the last round by winning at Division One South side Melksham Town.

The tie between Lichfield City and Nuneaton Borough will also be a tough affair for Jimmy Ginnelly`s Premier Division Central side.

Boro have had a slow start to the new season, winning one and drawing one of their five games to date, while Lichfield were promoted from the Midland League Division One to the Premier Division at the end of last season and are unbeaten to date.

Managed by Ivor Green, who previously took charge of Nuneaton`s neighbours Atherstone Town, City also caused an upset in the last round by winning 4-2 at Division One South outfit Evesham United, having inflicted a 4-0 defeat at league rivals Stourport Swifts in the Extra Preliminary Round.

This is another tie that should attract a big crowd, as will the game at the Victoria Ground between Nuneaton`s league rivals Bromsgrove Sporting and United Counties League Premier Division North side Loughborough Students.

Brendan Kelly`s Rouslers started the new season with two defeats but have since beaten Needham Market and AFC Rushden & Diamonds and shared a 1-1 draw with neighbours Stourbridge, so seem to be getting back to the form which made them one of the pre-season favourites for promotion.

Loughborough`s university lads opened the campaign with a 2-1 loss to neighbours Melton Town, but haven`t lost since and have beaten Toolstation Northern Counties East Leaguers Staveley Miners Welfare and league rivals Newark in their previous FA Cup ties.

They are a side full of young ex-professionals and play good football.

Another interesting match-up sees Wessex Premier side Alton Town take on unbeaten Division One South neighbours Sholing at the Anstey Park Enclosure.

The hosts had a 3-0 win at another Wessex outfit, United Services Portsmouth, in the Extra Preliminary Round and then shared a 1-1 draw at Western League Premier Division Bradford Town before winning the replay 3-0 at home.

The Boatmen will have to keep a wary eye on striker Rob Carr, who has scored 5 goals in 5 games for Alton to date.

There are plenty of ties that pair Southern League sides with teams from the other two Trident Leagues.

Premier Division South side Hendon have made a mixed start to the season but got back to winning ways on Bank Holiday Monday when they edged a 1-0 Silver Jubilee Park win over neighbours Harrow Borough.

Lee Allinson`s side made the journey to north Northamptonshire to take on now-Northern Premier League Division One Midlands outfit Corby Town.

The Steelmen, managed by former Nottingham Forest European Cup winner Gary Mills, have made a disappointing start in the newly formed division.

They have only one win to date, but have already played three FA Cup ties, beating Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Woodbridge Town 3-1 in the Extra Preliminary Round, and then eventually seeing off new league rivals Soham Town Rangers 4-2 in a replay after sharing a 3-3 draw at Steel Park.

Facing a trip a bit further north into Nottinghamshire against another NPL Division One Midlands side in Carlton Town are Stratford Town.

Carlton, managed by the experienced Tommy Brookbanks, are unbeaten in the league to date and came through a replay against Northern Counties East League side Maltby Main in the last round.

Stratford have won three and lost two of their opening five league games but lost 1-0 at home to Banbury on Bank Holiday Monday.

There are two ties pitching Southern Premier Division teams with Isthmian Premier Division sides which stand out.

Making the journey to the SKYex Community Stadium on Saturday to take on a Hayes & Yeading United side who possess a 100 per cent record in the south section, are Bognor Regis Town.

Paul Hughes` hosts made it five wins from five games on Bank Holiday Monday with a 2-0 success at Beaconsfield Town.

And they face a Rocks outfit buoyed by their 2-0 Sussex derby win at Worthing on the same day, watched by a terrific crowd of 2,101.

However, that was the first win for Bognor, managed by veteran Jack Pearce and with former Burnley striker Robbie Blake alongside him, having drawn their opening two matches and then losing 2-1 at Haringey Borough.

Another side to have made a perfect start in the central section, Peterborough Sports, welcome Haringey Borough to the Bee Arena in another fascinating tie.

Jimmy Dean`s side won 1-0 at Hayden Road against AFC Rushden & Diamonds last Monday to make it five wins in succession in the league.

And they have already scored an incredible 17 goals in those five games!

Haringey, managed by Tom Loizou, lost their opening game of the season at Kingstonian but have won their three games since, including a 4-1 defeat of Wingate & Finchley on Bank Holiday Monday.